Meat Katie, one of Australia's favourite imports is currently preparing to bring his blend of tech-funk to the land down under. Always a crowd favourite, the man other wise known as Mark Pember will be doing shows across Australia in August. His DJ show will take us on a journey into the deep and dirty underbelly of techno, breaks and tech-inspired house. Get your dancing shoes out and prepare for a hot and sweaty session with Meat Katie, one of the dons of the dance floor.

His Melbourne show will also feature the immense talents of Nick Thayer, Jamie Stevens (Infusion) DJ Set and Dopamine (exclusive Melbourne show).

Meat Katie tour dates:

Fri 15 Aug - Ambar Nightclub, Perth

Sat 16 Aug - The Club Club, Sydney

Fri 22 Aug - Miss Libertines, Melbourne

Sat 30 Aug - Phunk You, Fortitude Valley

DJ Hi-Shock: Suburbia - Remixes cat# elek012 The legendary rave epic, "Suburbia", hugely successful on the warehouse circuit and originally released on "Nagano Trax vol 1", has received an upgrade. Think new, slamming techno mixes from Hakker, Secret Surfer, and Alice Yung, along with a banging psy-tekk version put together by Psi Room. Also tune in to a dash of pounding electronica provided by Little Nobody, and round it all off with a twisted electro-acid house take by Schlock Tactile.

Styles: Techno - Deep, Hard, Underground, Minimal, Dark, Electronica, Acid, Electro House. 01. Suburbia (Psi Room's Dark Funk Remix)

02. Suburbia (Secret Surfer's Future Remix)

03. Suburbia (Hakker's Club Remix)

04. Suburbia (Schlock Tactile Remix)

05. Suburbia (Alice Yung's Deepest Remix)

06. Suburbia (Little Nobody Remix) Some of the feedback... "Timely set of remixes of one of the most storming (and enduring) warehouse party techno tracks that I can remember - made even darker, heavier and crunchier in the fir

"It

all starts from a great song" -

Michael

Gudinski, CEO - The Mushroom Group of Companies

As

part of their 150

commemorations,

NAB in conjunction with Mushroom Marketing and support from The

Mushroom Group and APRA, launched the NAB Songwriting Competition -

an initiative designed to help inspire, educate and unearth the

nation's next generation of great song writers.

This

new initiative supports a raft of music initiatives NAB have been

undertaking in 2008 - free public music performances by established

artists, showcases for local and upcoming music artists, the

successful NAB Songwriting Workshops at secondary schools as part of

the NAB 150 Roadtrain tour across Australia which

have featured likes of Dean & Adalita - Magic Dirt, Monique

Brumby and Nicky Bomba, and NAB's recent Sponsorship of APRA's

inaugural S3 Summit 'Play the Music" Showcase.

"It

was an honour for us to play t

Showcasing the best of Melbourne's underground & alternative designers with select interstate guests. Fashion, jewellery, hair artistry, accessories and body art for rockers, ravers, queers, goths, hippies, metalheads, emos, lolitas, clubbers and general street-stylin'.

Proudly debuting in the official program of Melbourne Spring Fashion Week 2008.

For customers and industry buyers "Worn Wild" is the one-stop shop for all styles alternative. It's a chance to see the full range on offer from each designer, try on items you have only ever seen on the net or order a custom-made design. You'll be amazed at the huge diversity and volume of products on show.

Worn Wild is the first show of its kind in Australia. It's a hotspot for all genres of alternative design and portfolios some of the most innovative wearable art forms as well as the most exciting 'niches' in fashion. Our unique and individualistic designers are less likely to be influenced by the latest season's looks, hemlines, celebrities or new b

Release Date: 28th June

Label/Distributor: Vitamin Records

Most bands would say one drummer is enough, but more is more in the world of Percussion Junction. Packing beats like soldiers pack bullets, the boys have declared all out war on dance floors' across the nation.

Their debut album 'The Beat Cartel' is a 100-proof brew of Afro-Latin drumming distilled with hip hop, reggae, electro, house and breaks. As an organized funk syndicate, 'Junction' composes with an orchestral army of percussion. Kane Goodwin (drum kit) Matty Bourne (congas, bongos & djembe) and Paul Issa (Doumbek) are backed by Benjamin 'Bentley' Chinnock on decks.

With Triple J picking up the beat and FBI already dropping it as album of the week, the boys have supported international and local acts Krafty Kuts (UK), Talvin Singh (UK), Panjea (US), Koolism, Kid Kenobi and Ajax. They've taken over Sydney venues like The State Theatre, The Basement and Telstra Stadium and played to sell out crowds at The Amnesty International Freedom

Label/Distributor: Nurcha Records

Proving that age is no barrier, the debut offering from Sydney's Mind Over Matter 'Keepin' it Breezy' is an impressive introduction to a crew that are breaking the Australian hip hop mould. Combining impressive lyrical word play with out of the box production, 'Keepin' it Breezy' is an album that is set to erupt up in 2008.

Emerging from Sydney's vibrant hip hop community in 2006, Mind Over Matter quickly established themselves as artists to be reckoned with through their highly lauded mixtape 'For Our Hip Hoppers'. With the success of this release, MCs Willow and Smiles Again garnered an audience nationwide and have cemented this following through supporting international and local acts a like Masta Ace, Planet Asia, Mystro, Bliss n Eso, Hyjak n Torcha and Muph & Plutonic.

Co-produced by Phatchance (Natural Causes) and Drake MC 'Keepin' it Breezy' demonstrates a divergent hip hop talent; the album glistens with slick production as the boys unleash over 60 minute

Flake Film Festival-

Australia's HIGHEST Short Film Festival

is now Calling For Entries....Put your film in the spotLIGHT!

The Flake Film Festival is now calling for short film entries, with this years theme recently announced as...LIGHT. Flake is searching high and low, near and far for the freshest filmaking talent this weird, wacky and wonderful world has to offer- and they're putting up $15000 in cash n prizes as a reward!

Your film must be less than 8 mins, can be any genre or style & of course include the 2008 theme of LIGHT- You can incorporate LIGHT as the main theme or central storyline, an object in the film, it may be symbolic or even in the dialogue. You can be cheeky or sneaky, but just make sure we can see the LIGHT!

Entries close Tuesday August 12th, 2008

.Over $15,000 cash and prizes will be awarded across several categories. Screenings will premiere around the NSW Snowy Mountains, including the world class ski resorts of Thredbo and Perisher Blue in early September 08.

Now

The Orb have been amongst the most fearlessly and fascinating sonic marauders on this or any other planet and Vuja De is the first single from Their new album entitled 'The Dream'. The album was made by head honcho Alex Paterson, ex-Killing Joke bassist Youth, former Dreadzone member Tim Brian and a host of guests. Although the line up may have changed over the years, the knack of hitting the spot certainly hasn't. Paterson describes the album as harking '...back to the original spirit' of their first two albums. And the new single, Vuja De, IS reminiscent of The Orb's breakthrough single Little Fluffy Clouds.

The Orb take us on a happy journey through time and space where dub and early-nineties dance are mashed up and overlaid with jaunty samples, and guest vocals from Aki Omari. The original is a good track in it's own right but it really comes into it's own as a package when you give the respective remixes a listen.

The Orb make their return in late April 2008 with the long awaited new album

Remember the days when you couldn't get the ever-so-catchy chorus of "Tricka Technology" out of your head? Bring back some fond memories? Well get ready for those days to return as A-SKILLZ aka Adam Mills, that turntable trickster from the UK that we all have a soft spot for, comes back to Oz for his first ever headline tour this Winter! Renowned worldwide for his party/trick sets, A-SKILLZ can truly attest to having all his musical boxes ticked. Signed to the inimitable Finger Lickin' ranks at the tender age of 21, A-Skillz teamed up with one of the biggest names in the game, Krafty Kuts, in 03' to record the now must-have record for all breakbeat lovers, "Tricka Technology." By calling on the likes of Kurtis Blow, TC Izlam, Obi Real Elements and Ashley "Freakpower" Slater, A-Skillz wowed us with his fresh, funky, hip-hop-based take on breakbeat that spawned the massive sing-a-long classics "Gimme the Breaks," "Peaches," "Roll Over Baby," and "Simple Things." The years that followed s

DRAPHT

JIMMY RECARD

THE FIRST SINGLE FROM 'BROTHERS GRIMM ' 'Jimmy Recard' is the magnetic first single

from 'Brothers Grimm', the 3rd album from

West Australian MC Drapht . 'Jimmy Recard' is the magnetic first single from 'Brothers Grimm', the 3rd album from acclaimed West Australian MC Drapht. If a name is the first thing we inherit upon entering this world, it must surely play a critical role in the determination of who we become. In 'Jimmy Recard' Drapht reflects on what could have been had he not been christened "plain old, boring old Paul". A brilliantly catchy and tongue-in-cheek party-starter, Jimmy Recard is the story of the "king of the castle" and the "king of the bar-stool" - a man with the world at his feet. With Drapht's unique voice and funky, hypnotic flow layered over a soul-fuelled, guitar driven beat, 'Jimmy Recard' is an instant classic. While it may be true for Jimmy that "everything he touches turns to gold", the same could well be said for his doppelga

Melbourne Breaks, the latest initiative between Phunktional and Australia's leading breakdance crew Wicked Force is a performance-based project which uses breakdancing to raise issues faced by young people including depression, social isolation, substance use and risk-taking behaviour.

beyondblue: the national depression initiative is supporting the project.

beyondblue CEO Leonie Young said: "We are pleased to be involved in this exciting project. It's a great way to get Youthbeyondblue messages to young people. We want them to Look, Listen and Talk - Look for the signs of depression, Listen to what their friends are saying, Talk about what's going on and Seek Help together."

Melbourne Breaks was established to provoke discussion and awareness and tackle issues head on with disadvantaged young Melburnians and their communities. Set up by Australia's leading provider of arts and community-based projects Phunktional; the project aims to inspire Melbourne's young people to develop their own methods fo

Producer-based albums are a tricky proposition; if the work behind the boards, as well as the choice of guest vocalists, are not up to par then the whole project falls apart. It is all about a delicate balance. Acclaimed Sydney-based beatmaker Chasm has clearly done his homework, as all aspects of his full length debut, Beyond The Beat Tape, are immaculate, which makes for ...

For the rest of the review please see:

Hey y'all,

Online for digital download is this second volume of my Little Nobody back-catalogue of more tech-electro stuff, in case anyone might be vaguely interested.

Techelectric Tangents Vol. 2 was uploaded today, thanks to Sydney's DJ Hi-Shock and his Hypnotic Room imprint, and covers the period 2002-2007, with a new remix of the track Hammerhead.

Here's the cover:

Track-list:

1 Bat Rastard

2 Electremity (Old School Gagsta Slap mix)

3 I Like UR Bum (Cut-up Tight Pants mix)

4 Hammerhead (2008 Clambake Rejig mix)

5 Blow the Bloody Doors Off!

NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE HERE:

http://www.junodownload.com/ppps/products/1315494-02.htm

BIG thanks to Hi-Shock @ Hypnotic Room for getting this one out there! Check out his extensive catalogue of digital download soundz at http://www.hypnoticroom.com/

====

Also, there're some cheesy, rather schlocky videos for some of these tracks on YouTube here:

On the back of a massive year, Kiwi electronic act Pitch Black announce the release of their first two artist albums and a return to Australia for four very special shows.

Having wowed us with their 'Rude Mechanical' album in 2007 Pitch Black have decided that the time is right to make their first and second albums 'Future Proof' and 'Electronomicon' available to Aussie fans. Not only have the double-disc recordings been re-mastered so they sound better than the original releases, but they also include a number of hard to find remixes.

Paddy Free and Michael Hodgson aka Pitch Black could be best be described as Kiwi Electronic Royalty. They have been blowing crowds away since their first spin back in 1997 and have continued to impress with world-class performances ever since. The Pitch Black sound is a distinct combination of musical journeys ranging from organic ambient beginnings, layered sound scapes to cutting-edge acid riffs and thumping rhythmic grooves. Their live show is a full-sensory experie

"A world class Latin band" - Rhythms Magazine

Captivating, lively and utterly addictive - 10-piece Latin outfit San Lazaro are set to embark on their long awaited nationwide tour and you better believe you're going to dance!

The band, consisting of members from Chilean, Spanish, Indian, Mauritian, Persian, Irish, Greek and Australian backgrounds, dish up the kind of cross cultural funk that's seen their fanbase swell since their inception four years ago. Indeed, for San Lazaro, music is driven by passion, not genre bias, with the collective embracing everything from hip hop, rock and reggae, all infused with the band's trademark Latin flava.

Led by celebrated young female percussionist and timbale player Nasrine Rahmani (Tumbarumba, The Oxo Cubans), San Lazaro's music comes alive through outstanding Spanish language rapper and conga player Sebastian Orellana and seasoned Chilean vocalist Franshesco Viran who shines up front. Oscar Poncell is the man who commands the driving 'Montunto' played on the C

Label/Distributor: Fresh Jams/Inertia

Exploding from the fingertips and vocal chords of some of Australia's finest musicians are Good Buddha's superb singles 'Movin On' and 'Bouncin'. The 6-piece band have been skimming the cream off the top of every genre that tickles their fancy, whipping up hook-laden vocal excursions to satisfy any type of musical hunger.

Wind the clock back to 1998 and Sydney's Good Buddha were testing their rhymes and rhythms playing huge house parties for fortunate friends. Their sparkling performances and dynamic energy ensured the word would quickly spread. Appearances at festivals including Splendour in the Grass, the Woodford Folk Festival, Good Vibrations and the Big Day Out, supporting the likes of everyone from People Under the Stairs, Ugly Duckling, The Pharcyde, Grandmaster Flash, Black Eyed Peas and Lyrics Born to name a few, ensued.

Now, a decade from conception the barely contained bundle of energy that is the atomic core of the band (Matt, Andy, Al, Nui, Jack

Masters of hip-hop and Turntablism in their own right, DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist have joined forces for the first time since 2001 and are bringing their genre-defying project, The Hard Sell, down under in April.

Following in the footsteps of their legendary Brainfreeze and Product Placement sets, Shadow and Cut Chemist are set to amaze Australian audiences with a daring and complex performance that sees them live on stage with 8 turntables (yes 8!), 4 mixers and an array of audio and video equipment, tricks and gadgets. Needless to say their show is beyond normal musical and technical expectations with trickery that very few DJs would even attempt.

This is the first time DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist have performed together in Australia and it is truly something special and unique.

Flaunting rules with a flawless blend of music from all eras that won't leave you saying "been there, heard that" these two cutting-edge Californians are the best tag-team since Hulk Hogan and The Undertaker - this is real

"Australia's favorite DJ, DJ Nino Brown" is back with Blazin' 2008, a collection of the "biggest Hip Hop" tracks out, and I use the term 'Hip Hop' very loosely. I couldn't help but explode with laughter at the Winner Intro. It is very reminiscent of the episode of Family Guy where Brian becomes a radio host and Stewie joins him, and they play a load of generic sounding radio ads with all the accompanying sound effects. It gets off to a good start with The Way I Are, even though we all have heard it a minimum of 8 million times in the past year. Surprisingly, it doesn't wait until the end of the CD to bring an actually listenable track by (really surprising to me) Young Jeezy, which is I Luv It. For the rest of this review please check out: http://www.planeturban.com.au/node/3561

"I very much looking forward to working with the Resin Dogs. It's an exciting opportunity for both of us and the possibilities of a successful outcome are fantastic."J.T. Meskiel

Resin Dogs, Australia's undisputed kings of funk-drenched hip hop have been judged the best in world, according to a competition run by Malibu's prestigious Document Room studios. In August last year, the studio's owner/producer J.T. Meskiel, who has worked with everyone from Lauryn Hill to Britney Spears and Rick Rubin (6 time Grammy Award winning producer who's worked with U2, Justin Timberlake and Kanye West) put the call out to find 'the best hip hop track producers on the planet'. No small task!

The band submitted a 7 track EP which included singles 'Coming with the Sound' and 'Caught Up' off their latest album 'More', and topped the talent list to score themselves an enviable three day production stint at the state-of-the-art, million dollar recording studios in March with Meskiel in the producer's chair.

The r

"Australia is finally going to see what everybody has been talking about all these years. These shows are going to be pure mayhem!" ILL BILL

You haven't seen a show till you've seen ILL BILL perform. Next week, the infamous rapper is set to land in Australia for the first time and deliver a knockout blow with five adrenaline charged shows across the country.

A former member of respected hip hop crew Non Phixion, ILL BILL is touring on the back of his forthcoming album 'The Hour of Reprisal', which features collaborations with the best in the hip hop and metal biz, including Raekwon the Chef (Wu-Tang Clan), B-Real (Cypress Hill), Howard Jones (Killswitch Engage), Max Cavalera (Soulfly/Sepultura), Everlast (House of Pain) and of course brother Necro.

Joining ILL BILL on stage will be fellow Non Phixion rep DJ Eclipse (former Rock Steady Crew DJ) and Big Left from La Coka Nostra (of which ILL BILL is also a member), ensuring the night will be one of the most memorable hip hop shows of the year.

DATE

Ready to get your booty shaking this Easter?

You better be because CRAZE, the hottest thing out of Florida since Don Johnson, is set to return to Oz bigger and better than ever before!

After wowing us with his party-pumping Miami Bass session at last year's Parklife, CRAZE, most-famous for his super-human dominance of the DMC World Championships and as co-founder of the Allies Crew with A-Trak and Infamous, will be giving us a special taste of his new Fabric Live 38 cd in March.

Already touted by many as the must-buy compilation of 08', Craze's latest offering features tracks from artists as diverse as Cool Kids, Chemical Brothers, Kid Sister, Armand Van Helden, Bangers & Cash, Chromeo, Pase Rock, Blaqstarr and Klever and sees Craze treat us to a mix'n'blend master-class that few others could match. The mix is a 74-minute joyride shamelessly laden with guilty pleasures and block-rockin' renegade styles that leaves you "imagining yourself being chased in a Ferrari with illegal cargo or gang-bangin' i

Hailing from Sydney, Australia, comes independent label Dealers Choice. Born in the free party underground our sound is built tuff for the dancefloor massive. Influenced by the sounds of dub, funk, techno and drum & bass, yet unrestricted by any genre. Forward thinking production and classic styling are our trademarks.

Our first release is titled 'Illegalism' and it's by Sydney producer boomstix. Having been producing fine electronic bleeps and blips for more than seven years, as well as regularly playing live to road test the tunes, boomstix debut is a journey through danceable beats that struts like it's wearing a brand new tracksuit with matching trainers

Playing 150+ shows last year, a 3rd album Love Mysterious under his belt not to mention his latest masterpiece, the new mix album Bring The Night, its evident Kaskasde is no ordinary DJ.

With summer festival essentials Its you, Its me, Steppin out, Gonna Make It and loads of exclusive new tunes, the King of House is sure to set dancefloors ablaze once again on Australia Day Long Weekend!

TOURING DATES:

Friday - January 25: Cottesloe Beach Hotel, Perth

Saturday - January 26: Platinum, Gold Coast

Sunday - January 27: Sounds on Sunday @ The Greenwood Hotel, Sydney

Sunday - January 27: Onelove Summer Sessions @ Continental Hotel, Melbourne

Known for packing the party into breaks, the original funkmaster is back in town! From humble beginnings, Krafty Kuts is now one of the world's biggest DJs, having played alongside The Prodigy, Fatboy Slim and The Rolling Stones he has also won every competition and award imaginable. His long awaited artist album Freak Show did not disappoint with the album and it's speaker busting single Bass Phenomenon gaining accolades left right and centre. The release of his super slick Back To Mine compilation is imminent and is a true expression of his diverse brilliance and ability to stay on top of the game. A master of the decks, his sets can swiftly swerve from hip hop to Supercharged breaks and electro-funk. Get set for basslines that will bypass your brain and head straight for your hips.

TOUR DATES:

16th January, Sydney - Becks Festival Bar

18th January, Auckland - Big Day Out + MC DYNAMITE

19th January, Wellington - Sandwiches + MC DYNAMITE

20th January, Gold Coast - Big Day Out + MC DYNAMIT

Internationally renowned and critically acclaimed New Zealand DJ/Producer,The Nomad aka Daimon Schwalger, launches 'Selected Works' with The Nomad band - tearing up East Coast dance floors in January '08.

'Selected Work's - The Nomad's first australian release offers a collection of The Nomad's finest moments, plus five new tracks - out now thru AlleyKat Records/MGM in all good records stores.

Seamlessly fusing hip hop, drum 'n' bass, soul and jazz, with trip hop and dub, The Nomad has established prodigious credentials, dropping five critically-acclaimed albums to date.

This is a journey that has created partnerships with dance music greats such as Rockers Hi Fi, and featured legendary artists such as Mad Professor, Luciano and New Zealand greats - Tiki Taane (Salmonella Dub), MC Antsman (Rhombus), Tehimana Kerr (Fat Freddys Drop) and The Black Seeds front man Barnaby Weir, along with a slew of international artists.

Winning music lovers' hearts and playing at top festivals and dance events in

Forget convention, it's all about perception. Do away with braggadocio and replace it with insight. In a hip hop scene awash with talent, MC Immune steps up and further raises the bar.

Taken from his anticipated debut album 'The Future Kill' due out early 2008, come the ear catching first two singles 'Rollin' and 'Ode to Hip Hop' - set to get your head-nodding as we move into the warm summer months. Inspired by the challenges of surviving the daily grind 'Rollin' is the catchy hook-driven joint supported by Realistix's (Down Under Beats Crew) tight production, whilst 'Ode to Hip hop' is Immune's trumpet-laced homage to his favourite art form which cruises along with an addictive dub-friendly vibe.

A former member of respected Down Under Beats Crew, Immune (aka Nik Wheatley) has been a crucial member of the burgeoning hip hop scene since the early naughties, issuing the critically acclaimed album 'Hiphoperation' in 2003. Together with DJs/Producers DJ Codex and Platterpush as well as MCs 13th Son, Joe Ne